The Concert of Europe Squashing Liberalism and Nationalism

The Congress of Vienna September 1814 to June 1815 Napoleon defeated and sent to St. Helena Dignitaries meet in Vienna to discuss the legacy of Napoleon. What to do with Germany? How to keep another European War from ever happening again?

Prince Metternich Prince Klemens von Metternich was an Austrian statesman, and the Austrian minister of foreign affairs form 1809 to Metternich was also a champion of conservatism. Metternich, the mediator at the Congress of Vienna, was an insightful man. He knew that for the meeting to be a success, he would have to modify his conservative ideals for a new Europe.

Czar Alexander I Czar Alexander I, the emperor of Russia from , was best known for alternately befriending, then fighting Napoleon I. In the early 1810's ( ) Alexander helped form the Big Four, which finally defeated the French emperor. As a part of the Congress of Vienna, the czar played a large part in the agreement to balance power and to get along with one another. In this meeting, Alexander was determined to obtain the only spoil that he wanted, Poland. The allies (Britain, Russia, Prussia), afraid of the Asiatic Russians obtaining too much control, only gave Russia a portion of Poland. Disgusted and disillusioned by the cynicism of Metternich, Talleyrand, and Castlereagh towards the idea of all people getting along, the czar formed the Holy Alliance in With this group, Alexander I tried to create a world based on the ideas of justice and charity.

Viscount Robert Castlereagh Castlereagh was the British foreign secretary from 1812 to Castlereagh was a major player in the Congress of Vienna. He was involved with the redrawing of the post- Napoleonic map, and was a major influence in the Concert of Europe. As a leader in bringing together the powers the overthrew Napoleon and in forming the Congress of Vienna, Castlereagh was a large influence in promoting diplomacy by conference. The viscount's main objective at the Congress of Vienna, was to keep Russia from gaining too much control, and to strengthen a weak Germany and Italy. Castlereagh also took the lead in denying Russia's territorial demands on Poland.

Prince Karl August von Hardenberg Karl von Hardenberg was a Prussian statesman and the Prussian delegate in attendance at the Congress of Vienna. Hardenberg was able to bring about the rapprochement between Russia and Britain over the division of Saxony and Poland. He waved Prussian rights to Saxony, in return for the Rhineland. Hardenberg later associated himself with Alexander I, and his Holy Alliance. A resourceful man, Karl saw that some things must be given up, for the good of the continent.

Decisions France was deprived of all territory conquered by Napoleon The Dutch Republic was united with the Austrian Netherlands to form a single kingdom of the Netherlands under the House of Orange. Norway and Sweden were joined under a single ruler Switzerland was declared neutral Russia got Finland and effective control over the new kingdom of Poland Prussia was given much of Saxony and important parts of Westphalia and the Rhine Province.

Decisions Austria was given back most of the territory it had lost and was also given land in Germany and Italy (Lombardia and Venice) Britain got several strategic colonial territories, and they also gained control of the seas. France was restored under the rule of Louis XVIII. Spain was restored under Ferdinand VII

Outcomes of the meeting The goal of the congress was to reestablish a balance of power amongst the countries of Europe and have peace between the nations. The Congress was highly successful in achieving its goal, for the peace in Europe was left undisturbed for almost 40 years.

The Two Enemies to Peace & Order Liberalism 1819 Carlsbad Decrees used to halt spread of liberal instruction in German Schools. Effects Universities and any print medium. Nationalism Austria, Prussia, and Russia take lead in halting nationalist revolutions. Spain 1821 – 29 Greece

Alliances begin Quadruple Alliance 1815 Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia; France was later added. Britain would drop out in 1818 The Holy Alliance 1815 Russia, Prussia, and Austria